The castle complex includes several iconic buildings, such as the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion, Trinity Square. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Danube River and the Pest side of the city. History lovers can enjoy the museums, historical galleries, and libraries. To be honest as an Indian I never had any appreciation of Hungarian history until this trip.
The Castle Quarter in Budapest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
The complex is the historic castle and palace of the Hungarian kings. Originally completed in 1265, the Baroque palace that occupies most of the site today was built between 1749 and 1769. It was severely damaged during the Siege of Budapest in World War II and was later rebuilt in a simplified Baroque style during the communist era. Currently, it houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Historical Museum, and the National Széchényi Library.
The palace complex lies on the southern tip of Castle Hill, surrounded by defensive walls. The neighborhood to the north is well-known for its medieval, baroque, and neoclassical houses, churches, and monuments.
Clark Adam Square.
Entrance for vehicles to the hilltop. visitors can travel by public transport but you can also walk.
We took the sightseeing bus hop on hop off, to Clark Adam Square, which links to the Castle Funicular (cable car lift) but we wanted to explore on foot and started walking up to Buda Castle Hill.
The climb to Castle Hill, which stands approximately 75 meters above the river, takes about 15-20 minutes by stairs and paths. However, it took me around 40 minutes to reach the top because there was so much to see on the way.
My husband already reached the hilltop but I wanted to take it easy and take photos.
Entrance to the eastern forecourt.
on the top of the pillar is an impressive statue of Turul, a huge falcon that is considered sacred.
The royal forecourt where royal guards stand. we were lucky to arrive just in time for the changing of the guards which was a formal but fun display
Spectacular view of Chain Bridge St.Stephen's Basilica and Parliament House.
Panoramic views of the Danube River, chain bridge, and Pest.
Some places were closed to visitors due to reconstruction work, here the lovely fountain of the fishing children with a background of construction work.
The Danube terrace with Prince Eugene of Savoy's monument
Hungarian National History Museum.
On the southern wall of Buda Castle, there's a four-meter-high statue of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus.
I went closer to take a photo from the front but the statue is right on the edge of the wall. But I got a very spectacular view of
Danube with all bridges from this point.
A view of the Danube, with the Margaret Bridge and Margaret Island.
looking down I managed to see those defensive walls around the Castle.
Inside the Royal Riding hall
The statue of the Horseherd is in front of the riding hall.
The riding hall from the top of the Stöckl staircase.
After the riding hall, we climbed the Stöckl Staircase and came to the main entrance of the inner courtyard.
The main entrance passes through this part of the castle heading toward the western forecourt(large open place).
The main entrance gate was closed to visitors because of reconstruction.
Mattias fountain is a spectacular fountain located at the corner of the western open area on the side wall. It shows a group of hunters King Matthias Corvinus together with hunter dogs and a killed deer standing with a crossbow on the top of the rock. There is a love story behind that fountain.
Entrance to the open square (inner courtyard).
A big open square inner courtyard.
I read a story about a raven that carried off the ring King Matthias had removed from his finger, Matthias chased the bird and killed it and got his ring back, afterward, he took the raven as his new symbol for his signet.
Karmelita monastery was under reconstruction so there was no access for visitors.
This is all about Buda Castle. All photos are taken by me, and they are my property.
Some information I took from this source.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buda_Castle
